Mula highschool hanggang college kasama-kasama ko yung backpack na yun sa hirap at ginhawa. Mantakin mong nakayanan niyang buhatin yung mga libro kong required dalhin araw-araw noong highschool. Tapos kasama ko siya sa mga outdoor hiking trips namin noong college, bitbit ang mga de lata damit, sapatos at kung ano-ano pa. Kasama ko din yung bag na yun noong sumali ako ng orgs sa college. Saksi siya habang dumadaan ako sa mga pagsubok na kasama sa pagpasok ng org at kapatiran. Madalas nagiging unan ko na din siya kapag nakikitulog ako kung saaan-saan sa tuwing inaabot kami ng madaling araw sa mga production meetings namin. Andun siya noong sinagot ako ng girlfriend ko. Andun din siya noong nag-break kami.

Mahal na mahal ko yung Jansport backpack ko na yun. Sa katunayan, kasama ko din siya noong nagkita kami for the first time ng kapatid ko sa tatay. Sinamahan niya kaming magkapatid na lumilibot sa campus at sa malls hanggang sa ihatid ko siya noon sa bahay ng tita ko sa Caloocan. Andami na naming pinagsamahan ng backpack ko. Kaya naman noong pilit siyang inaagaw sa’kin nung hinayupak na mga holdapers sa jeep sa may Batasan, noong gabing hinatid ko si kapatid, eh talagang nakipag-agawan ako. Bukod sa dala ni Jansport backpack ang unang digicam na binili ko kung saan andun yung kaisa-isang kuha naming magkapatid, eh nakakabit na sa kanya ang mga alaala ng aking buhay mula highschool hanggang college. naisipan ko pa ngang mag-offer ng pera sa mga holdapers bilang kapalit ni backpack pero pinatahimik nila ako ng baril at icepick. Nakakapanglumo lang. Yun ang huling gabi kong nakapiling si backpack.
Hanggang ngayon nami-miss ko pa din siya. Kaya kahit nakabili na ako noon ng bagong backpack, eh hindi ko pa din maikakailang mas mahal ko si black Jansport backpack na bigay ni titang OFW. =)

Back in 2006 when I was in Singapore, I learned the value of comfortable and spacious bags in traveling. I visited Sentosa Island and walked around the whole area. Being the cheapskate I was, I had packed my own water and snacks. It was very convenient. The best part was after I did away with the food, I loaded my bag with souvenirs for my family and friends back home.

I highly doubt if I would forget the time I got stranded in the rain in Bangkok. Without an umbrella, I just used my bag to protect myself as I weaved through the crowded streets. Took me an hour to make my way back to my hostel but lo and behold, I didn’t come down with any colds.

I never really noticed that bags could be a fashion statement until I had visited Hong Kong. There is something about the youth’s fashion sense over there. Their bags were laden with stickers or keychains which complemented their looks. It was quite an interesting avenue to look into – bags as fashion accessory.

And finally, my best memory with my bag would be the time when a close friend and I spent a night lying on the grass with my bag under our heads staring at evening sky at Bellarmine Field.

Everyday I bring a backpack to school. I don’t really need to because I have a big stroller bag, but I still do.

I wait for my mom to pick me up after school. She says she cannot park if she goes there early so she picks me up at least thirty minutes after the bell rings… if it rains it usually takes her a lot longer. This is the time I open my backpack and get my snacks and drinks. I also stash books I borrow from the library in my backpack so I have something to read. I also put my wallet in my backpack so I can buy food or drink from the canteen in case my baon runs out. My backpack is my friend, it holds everything I need until my mom comes to get me. It keeps me company while I wait, and I can’t imagine being without it.

I love my backpack, even now that it’s a little worn I wouldn’t exchange it for any other bag in the world.

Kenshin Lei, 7 years old — as told to Rowena Wendy Lei